Week's top play must be seen to be believed

Laureano's homer-saving grab begins unreal sequence

April 22nd, 2019

Ramon Laureano made magic happen in the outfield again on Sunday, and the A's center fielder's latest highlight-reel addition was named the MLB Play of the Week presented by W.B. Mason on Monday.

In the A's series finale against the Blue Jays, Laureano sparked a defensive sequence you'll have to see to believe.

It started with a dazzling home run robbery. Laureano went high above the center-field wall at Oakland Coliseum to take a homer away from the Blue Jays' Teoscar Hernandez.

“It was in the air, and what I remember was that the wind was kind of helping it stay in play,” Laureano said after the game. “I saw the wall and I just jumped.”

Then, seeing that he had a chance to double up baserunner Justin Smoak at first, Laureano launched a throw so strong from the center-field warning track that it sailed high over first base on a fly and nearly reached the camera well in foul territory.

By that time, Smoak had made it back to first base and tagged up. When Laureano's throw flew past the infielders, Smoak decided to try for second. But A's catcher Nick Hundley got to the ball in time to fire a throw to second base, where Jurickson Profar tagged out Smoak.

Laureano's throw was reminiscent of the incredible 321-foot toss he made to complete a double play last season. Just, well ... a lot wilder. But it all worked out in the end.

"I was really pumped up, so [the throw] didn’t go in the right direction,” Laureano said. “I throw without thinking. That happens sometimes."